Downtown Muskegon Then

Western & First in 1927

The intersection of Western Avenue and First Street in 1927. On the left is the Hackley Bank Building and in the distance is St. Mary's Catholic Church.

1920s Aerial

An aerial image of downtown Muskegon and its surroundings in the 1920s.

Western & Market Circa 1928

Overlooking the intersection of Western Avenue (right) and Market Street (left). In the center is the Muskegon Flatiron Building. Like most of its neighbors it was lost in the 1970s to make way for the Muskegon Mall.

Jefferson Theater 1924

The Jefferson Theater occupied the building on the left of this image. It was located on Jefferson Street between Clay and Western. The theater later became the State Theater.

Hackley Park Early 1920s

Overlooking Hackley Park from the Hackley School's clock tower. The large building on the right is the Occidental Hotel.

Columbia Cleaners

Columbia Cleaners was on Jefferson Street in the Terminal Arcade Building in the 1930s.

Western Avenue 1928

Looking west down Western Avenue from the Occidental Hotel in 1928. The large open lot in the photo would later become the site of the Walker Arena.

Muskegon Centennial

Muskegon's centennial celebration at the Mart Dock in 1937. On the other side of the tracks from left to right is Food City supermarket (now the Walker Arena Annex), the Amazon factory, and Union Depot.

Muskegon Centennial

The Mart Dock during Muskegon's centennial celebration in 1937.

Terrace 1940

Terrace Street looking north in 1940. It wasn't until the 1970s the road was widened into its current boulevard configuration.

Lyman Block 1930s

The Lyman Block was located at the corner of Western Avenue and First Street. In the 1950s the clock tower was removed from the building and in the 1970s the building was demolished to make way for the Muskegon Mall.

Western & First in 1927

The intersection of Western Avenue and First Street in 1927. On the left is the Hackley Bank Building and in the distance is St. Mary's Catholic Church.

1920s Aerial

An aerial image of downtown Muskegon and its surroundings in the 1920s.

Western & Market Circa 1928

Overlooking the intersection of Western Avenue (right) and Market Street (left). In the center is the Muskegon Flatiron Building. Like most of its neighbors it was lost in the 1970s to make way for the Muskegon Mall.

Jefferson Theater 1924

The Jefferson Theater occupied the building on the left of this image. It was located on Jefferson Street between Clay and Western. The theater later became the State Theater.

Hackley Park Early 1920s

Overlooking Hackley Park from the Hackley School's clock tower. The large building on the right is the Occidental Hotel.

Columbia Cleaners

Columbia Cleaners was on Jefferson Street in the Terminal Arcade Building in the 1930s.

Western Avenue 1928

Looking west down Western Avenue from the Occidental Hotel in 1928. The large open lot in the photo would later become the site of the Walker Arena.

Muskegon Centennial

Muskegon's centennial celebration at the Mart Dock in 1937. On the other side of the tracks from left to right is Food City supermarket (now the Walker Arena Annex), the Amazon factory, and Union Depot.

Muskegon Centennial

The Mart Dock during Muskegon's centennial celebration in 1937.

Terrace 1940

Terrace Street looking north in 1940. It wasn't until the 1970s the road was widened into its current boulevard configuration.

Lyman Block 1930s

The Lyman Block was located at the corner of Western Avenue and First Street. In the 1950s the clock tower was removed from the building and in the 1970s the building was demolished to make way for the Muskegon Mall.

Downtown Muskegon grew in the shadow of the lumber industry at the beginning of the 20th century. During this period of growth classic buildings were built,
a few of which still remain today. As the lumber industry declined manufacturing stepped up to become the economic force of the downtown. By the time of WWII,
a number of major factories were located downtown including Campbell, Wyant, and Cannon who forged metal goods, Continental Motors, and the Amazon Knitting Mill.

A decline in manufacturing led the downtown to change focus and in the mid 1970s a covered, urban mall was built to anchor the new direction. While the mall was
recently torn down, commitment to improvement of the downtown has always been strong. In 1995 city voters approved a 16 million dollar bond which went towards costs
associated with renovating both the L.C. Walker arena and the historic Frauenthal Theater. More recent developments have been the reclaiming of Heritage Landing site
and its rebirth as a public park and open air performance venue, the retrofitting of the Breneman-Hartshorn window shade and Amazon textile factories into usable, yet
historically authentic buildings, and the establishment of the Edison Landing Smart Zone, which has already attracted several education and research developments.

With many current projects currently on the go, the future of downtown Muskegon looks bright as the city builds on its historic past and its unswerving commitment
to vital, vibrant downtown.

Noteworthy

Joseph Beyrle, only soldier to have served in both the US Army and the Soviet Army in World War II

John Beyrle, son of Joseph Beyrle, appointed as United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation on May 13, 2008, confirmed July 3, 2008.

David Leestma, astronaut

Captain Jonathan Walker, "The Man With Branded Hand", abolitionist

Nancy Anne Fleming, Miss America 1961

Vonda Kay Van Dyke, Miss America 1965

Harry Morgan, Actor in popular M*A*S*H television series.

Frank Stanton, past president of CBS

Mark Grimmette, American luger

Earl Morrall, former NFL quarterback

Edmund Szoka, Roman Catholic Cardinal and former President of the Governorate of Vatican City State